Studies show that children and teens with at least one positive role model in their life, have better well-being and outlook on life. At The Settlement Home, there are many ways to connect and volunteer. Some of our volunteers work with a whole cottage; some offer activities for the whole campus. Others provide one-on-one mentorship to some of our kiddos. Meet Ron and Doreen, who are mentors to one of our kids. We caught up with them recently to learn a little more about them. Read their interview.

By now, you must be familiar with the concept of Amplify Austin, "our city's annual community-wide day of online giving".
"Over the past three years, Amplify Austin has raised over $16.2M for hundreds of local organizations," states I Live Here, I Give Here, the organization that created this "community-wide day of online giving" in 2013 in order to boost donations to local nonprofits.

Gifts made through Amplify Austin are 100% tax-deductible and amplified by incentive matching dollars, but transactions incur a service charge of 3-5%.

Starting at 6pm on Tuesday, March 8, some Central Texas 600 nonprofits will be fundraising millions of dollars.
Here at Love North Austin, we created a map of North Austin nonprofits on the occasion of the 2016 edition of Amplify Austin,
and through this blog post, we aim to list the main Amplify fundraisers for North Austin, so that people living in North Austin can give in North Austin.

By visiting North Austin Creatives' Amplify ATX page, you also get to meet the Chair's adorable baby girl. Check it out!

Another organization we particularly care about here at Love North Austin is Goodwill Central Texas.
​Readers of this blog know the famous employment placement and thrift stores nonprofit has a high school for adults at its Norwood Community Center, near I35 and 183.
Now, Goodwill Central Texas Amplify ATX campaign's focus is on the Community Center 's brand new Exploration Center. "What is the Exploration Center?" you'll ask. Well, that's the "licensed child-care facility located right inside our high school" that's "opened on January 29th," explains Goodwill Central Texas.
"Your support would purchase items like books, educational toys, art supplies, and other items appropriate for children, and maybe add a few pieces of equipment in their play yard as well," states the nonprofit. Learn more and schedule your donation on the Amplify Austin website.

Close to Goodwill Central Texas' Norwood Community Center, The Settlement Home for Children providing a continuum of care, support, and resources to children and young adults with a history of severa trauma, abuse, and neglect is aiming at raising $20,000 to buy school supplies, pairs of shoes and clothing for the children, food and hygiene supplies for its residential treatment cottages, therapies, the costs of adoptions, etc. through its Amplify Austin campaign.

Over its 100 years history, the nonprofit has achieved, and helped Austin achieved a number of milestones. Read more on The Settlement Home's website. And check out the video the organization just released on this occasion:

"Homelessness, incarceration, addiction... We have a chance to prevent that. I can't think of anything more important," Settlement Home for Children Executive Director Darcie DeShazo in it.

Caritas of Austin's 2016 Amplify Austin fundraising campaign is the first one since the nonprofit opened Caritas North, a smaller neighborhood center providing many of the same services as the headquarter location at 9027 Northgate Boulevard, in April of last year.
"This past year, Caritas of Austin also led efforts to end veteran homelessness in our community by housing all 234 homeless veterans, and we are just a few months away from reaching that goal" of ending veteran homelessness, says Caritas of Austin's Amplify ATX page.

Another nonprofit that's opened a new North Austin location in the past year is Austin Voices for Education and the Youth, making a difference in a lot of North Austin neighborhoods by "​working in partnership with community leaders, young people, parents, and educators to build successful schools and strong neighborhoods," for example helping 1,400+ University of Texas volunteers to renovate schools in the Rundberg area as part of The Project, or Helping the Austin Independent School District organizing a gathering for Arabic-speaking families, initiatives all part of the Community School model promoted by Austin Voices.
The Rundberg Educational Advancement District recently announced the new Austin Voices Family Resource Center at Lanier High School was moving into its portable.
​Learn more and schedule your donation on Austin Voices' Amplify ATX page.

"The Settlement Home for Children kicked off a year-long celebration of its 100th birthday Sunday, January 10, with a performance at The Long Center featuringsinger-songwriter Jewel," announced the North Austin nonprofit providing 50 beds for girls between the ages of 7 and 21 who need moderate, specialized, or intense care, as well as housing and security to young ladies ages 18 and up, and foster and adoptive services. (More on the Settlement Home for Children website.)

"The singer-songwriter’s childhood reflects that of many of the youth in the care of The Home.“This was an exciting way for us to start our anniversary festivities,” said Besty Giles, Settlement Club President. “Jewel can relate to the struggles and experiences that children come to us with. We are glad she was able to be a part of this historical celebration,”" continued the press release, inviting people and organizations to "email development@settlementhome.org, or call 512-836-2150 ext. 142 for information on our birthday events, or to be a 100 year sponsor."Read the full story on the Settlement Home for Children website, and see more pictures of the anniversary kickoff on the nonprofit's Facebook page.